Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Is it normal to sleep less as you get older? Why do you wake up more often during the night? And when should poor sleep become a reason to talk with your doctor?
In this episode of Aging Forward, host Kristen Meinzer talks with geriatrician Dr. Melissa Bogin about how sleep changes with age, what causes insomnia in older adults and the evidence-based strategies that can help improve sleep without relying on medication.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why sleep changes as you get older
• How much sleep older adults actually need
• Common causes of insomnia after age 60
• When sleep problems could signal a medical condition
• Which medications may interfere with sleep
• Why sleep aids aren't always the best solution
• How cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can help
• Daily habits that support better sleep naturally
• When it's time to talk with your healthcare team
If you've noticed your sleep isn't what it used to be, this episode explains what's normal, what isn't and what you can do to get better rest.
For more Aging Forward episodes and resources, visit: mcpress.mayoclinic.org/podcasts/aging-forward
00:00 Introduction
01:34 How sleep changes with age
02:38 Why older adults wake up more at night
03:28 How much sleep do older adults need?
05:30 Are naps good or bad?
06:08 Why melatonin declines with age
06:53 Circadian rhythm and waking up early
07:59 Is poor sleep a normal part of aging?
10:39 Common sleep complaints after age 60
11:32 Warning signs of a sleep disorder
13:00 Should couples sleep separately?
14:03 Why sleep disorders become more common
15:05 Sleep apnea, restless legs and medications
16:11 Medical conditions that disrupt sleep
17:44 Alcohol, caffeine and loneliness
19:00 Health risks of poor sleep
20:02 Sleep deprivation and fall risk
20:53 When to seek medical help
22:02 Are sleep medications safe?
23:57 Prescription sleep medications
25:38 CBT-I: The best treatment for insomnia?
27:02 Daily habits for better sleep
29:22 What to expect from a sleep evaluation
31:32 What aging forward means
32:34 Outro
Is it normal to sleep less as you get older? Why do you wake up more often during the night? And when should poor sleep become a reason to talk with your doctor?
In this episode of Aging Forward, host Kristen Meinzer talks with geriatrician Dr. Melissa Bogin about how sleep changes with age, what causes insomnia in older adults and the evidence-based strategies that can help improve sleep without relying on medication.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why sleep changes as you get older
• How much sleep older adults actually need
• Common causes of insomnia after age 60
• When sleep problems could signal a medical condition
• Which medications may interfere with sleep
• Why sleep aids aren't always the best solution
• How cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can help
• Daily habits that support better sleep naturally
• When it's time to talk with your healthcare team
If you've noticed your sleep isn't what it used to be, this episode explains what's normal, what isn't and what you can do to get better rest.
For more Aging Forward episodes and resources, visit: mcpress.mayoclinic.org/podcasts/aging-forward
00:00 Introduction
01:34 How sleep changes with age
02:38 Why older adults wake up more at night
03:28 How much sleep do older adults need?
05:30 Are naps good or bad?
06:08 Why melatonin declines with age
06:53 Circadian rhythm and waking up early
07:59 Is poor sleep a normal part of aging?
10:39 Common sleep complaints after age 60
11:32 Warning signs of a sleep disorder
13:00 Should couples sleep separately?
14:03 Why sleep disorders become more common
15:05 Sleep apnea, restless legs and medications
16:11 Medical conditions that disrupt sleep
17:44 Alcohol, caffeine and loneliness
19:00 Health risks of poor sleep
20:02 Sleep deprivation and fall risk
20:53 When to seek medical help
22:02 Are sleep medications safe?
23:57 Prescription sleep medications
25:38 CBT-I: The best treatment for insomnia?
27:02 Daily habits for better sleep
29:22 What to expect from a sleep evaluation
31:32 What aging forward means
32:34 Outro
